Erik Zarnitz

I have a friend, who for the better part of a decade, would always rant and rave about the Queen City, and now I know why!

Before I even landed the job at WLWT, Cincinnati was already in my blood. My last job had me posted just up the road in Dayton, but with being so close, I’d often head down to check out the museums, the aquarium or hit up a game. (What a GREAT sports town!!) Other times it was just to catch a concert and a cheese coney while hanging out with some friends. Either way I always had a blast and was welcomed with open arms.

Originally I’m from Morristown, N.J., (that’s right, the home of big hair and gold chains, only one of which I have) where my love for weather was born. My parents had a small plane -- Cessna 180 -- and during our trips I remember being fascinated by the clouds. I even remember asking my dad at about the age of five, “What job can I have were this is what I do?” He said "Meteorologist," and it has been a passion of mine ever since.

My first stop toward my goal was with the right education, earning my B.S. degree in Meteorology from Valparaiso University and later my M.B.A. from Fairleigh Dickinson University. While studying for my M.B.A. I also worked part-time, weather producing for WNBC in New York City. The meteorologists there taught me so much and even helped me get a resume tape together.

After sending out 100+ tapes/resumes I finally got a bite and landed my first full-time meteorology job at KDLT in Sioux Falls, S.D. Between the late-night severe thunderstorms, crazy tornado outbreaks and bitter cold blizzards I was in weather heaven! Those experiences taught me so much and paved the way for my moves to WDTN in Dayton and now WLWT.

During the past seven years I have earned my CBM seal of approval from the American Meteorological Society, been an active member of Generation Dayton, The Sons of Norway, as well as a certified Sky Warn Storm Spotter/Instructor and still looking to get more involved!

Thousands of California acres are ablaze as firefighters battle at least 21 wildfires throughout the state, but while many of those fires are small or mostly contained, the wind and heat that are spreading the Rocky Fire in Northern California -- and...